Electric shaver



J. BRUECKER ELECTRIC sHAvER May 25, 1937.

Filed Aug. 29, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 25, 1937.

J. BRuEcKER ELECTRIC SHAVER Filed Aug. 29, '195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 25,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SHAVEB;

John Bruecken', Chicago, Ill. l

Application August 29, 1936, Serial No. 98,541

38 Claims. -(Cl. 30-43).

The present invention relates generally to Shavers, that is, apparatus for use in removing beards or face' hair as well as effecting depilation of hair on the arms, legs, and other portions of 5 the human body. More particularly the invention relates to that type 9i shaver which is of the `electrical 'variety and comprises an elongated housing, a cutting head and coacting cutter at f one end of the housing, and an electric motor in 10 the housing for driving or actuating the cutter.

One object of the invention is to provide a shaver of this type which is generally an improvement upon and is more eilcient in operation than previously designed Shavers of the 1.3 same general character.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric shaver embodying new principles o f construction and operation which. make 'for l quicker and closei shaving without irritation of the Skin. e

\y Another object of the invention is to provide a shaver of the type under consideration in which. the cutting headis U-shaped and embodies a semi-cylindrical skin engaging central 25, part with a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending series or rows of hair receiving openings therein and the cutter is disposed in and extends longitudinally of said central part of ,the head and is oscillated back and forth .-so`

Athat it operates to cut the hairs protruding inwardly through the` openings.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a shaver of the last mentioned type and character in which the cuttinghead is formed of a rectangular strip of spring metal and the slots therein are formed in such manner that they have dished or flared entrances and are defined by sharp cutting -edgeswhich are flush with the inner face of the senil-cylindrical central part of Y the -head and as a result 'permit of an extremely close shave.'

A further object of the invention is to provide` a shaver of the aforementioned character` which embodies novel means for releasably retaining the cutting head in its operative or connected position. s

A l"s'till further object of the invention is to the head and effects an extremely eiicient cutting ofthe hairs protruding in the openings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shaver having a perforated cutting head of extremely thin exible material supported independently of the cutter and means whereby the cutter is moved rapidly across the perforated portion of the cuttinghead and is bodil'y urged against the same in such manner as to obtain greater eiciency in the shaving operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric shaver embodying such new principles of construction and operation as to enable economical manufacture with improved eiciency and improved convenience in the use of Shavers of this class. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electric shaver having a perforated cutting 'head of extremely thin exible-material which may be replaced at a low cost and which is mounted in a novel manner to promote greater ease, safety and comfort in shavingvand' also to permit of quick and4 easy replacement.

Other objects of the invention and the variousy more particularly dened by claims at the con Figand the sides of the locking bracket for the cutting head; g

Figure 5Ais a perspective of the other end wall of said bracket;

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal' section of the head part of the housing;

Figure 'I is a sectionahview taken on the line 1)-1 of Figure 6 showing in detail the manner in which the cutting head is mounted within the semi-cylindrical central part of the strip formed cutting head;

Figure 8 is atransverseA section taken on the 55.

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the cutting head and cutter;

Figure 10A is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which the head coacts with. the slot defining cutting edges on the central part of the head to eiiect shearing of the hair protruding inwardly through the slots;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the thin rectangular vspring metal strip which forms the cutting head;

Figure 12 is an enlarged plan or face view of the central part of the cutting head; and

Figures 13 and 14 are detail sectionalA views showing the manner in which the slots are formed in the central part of the head.

The shaver which is shown in the drawings illustrates apreferred form or embodiment of the invention and is designed for use in shaving beards or face hair as well as eiiecting depilation of hair on the arms, legs, and other portions of the human body. It is of the electrical variety and comprises as the main or essential parts 'thereof an elongated housing I5, a removable cut ting head I6, a blade-type cutter I7, and an electric motorl. The cutter Il is adapted, as hereinafter described, and during drive of the electric motor I3, to swing back and forthwith respect to the central portion of the cutting head and operates in response to this oscillatory move- `ment and in conjunction with the cutting head to effect the desired shaving or hair depilation.

The housing I 5 serves as an enclosure and supporting medium for the various operating parts o f the shaver and comprises .a head part I9 and a handle part 20. The head part serves as the supporting and housing medium for the cutting head I6 and the blade-type cutter Il and comprises a pair of side walls 2l and a pair of end Walls 22 and 23. The end walls are arranged in spaced apart and parallel relation and are substantially wedge-shaped. 'Ihe large or inner ends of the end Walls t Within and are secured to the handle part 20 of the housing, as hereinafter described, and the small or outer ends of the end Walls are substantially semicircular, as shown in Figure l of the drawings. The side Walls 2l of'the head' part I 3 of the housing extend between the end walls and are preferably formed integrally with and extend at right angles to the side margins of the end wall 22. The outer ends of the side walls terminate inwardly oi: the semicircular small ends of the end walls and the inner ends of the side walls 2I are arranged in parallel relation and fit within the handle part 23 of the shaver housing. The end wall 22 and the side walls 2l are preferably formed of a onepiece casting and together with the end wall 23 form a compartment 24. The end Wall 23 forms a. removable closure or cover for the compart- Y latter extend through holes in said end wall 22 and t Within internally threaded sockets in the 3 inner face of the end wall 36 (see Figure 3). two end sections of the handle part 26 are secured contiguous ends of thel posts 25. The screws 26 extend through holes in the end wall 23 and lt within internally threaded socketsin the other or opposite lends of the posts 25. The posts 21 are positioned inwardly of and in parallel relation with respect to the posts 25 and are fixedlysecured to the end wall 22 of the head part of the shaver housing by screws which extend through said end wall and fit within internally threaded sockets in the contiguous `ends of the posts 2l. The screws .30 t within internally threaded sockets in the other ends of the posts 21 and extend through holes in the end wall 23.

When access is desired to the compartment 24 it is only necessary to remove the screws -26 and 28. 'I'his releases the cover forming end wall 23 so that it may be removed from its operative position wherein the side edges thereof abut against the contiguous side edges of the side walls 2 i. The handle part 20 of the shaver housing I5 is adapted to be held in the hand. It serves as an enclosure and supportingv medium for the electric motor I8 and consists of a pair of complemental end sections 3i and 32. The end section 3l comprises an end wall 33 and an inwardly extending marginal flange 34. 'Ihe flange, as shown in Figure .3, is U-shaped in conformation and is formed integrally with the end wall 33. The end wall 22 of the head part I3 of the shaver housing fits against and is suitably secured to the inner face of the end wall 33 of the end section 3i. VThe end section 32 of the handle part of the shaver housing is positioned directly opposite the section 3l. It forms with the latter a compartment 35 for the electric motor I8 and consists of an end wall 36 and an inwardly extending marginal flange 3l. The ange 3l is U- shaped. It conforms to and lts against the ange 34 of the section 3| and together with the latter, forms the side wall of the handle part 20. The innerer large end of the end wall 23 of the head part of the shaver housing fits against the The together by means of a pair of screws 38 which extend through holes in the end wall 36 of the end section 32 and fit within internally threaded sockets in pairs of aligned lugs 39 on the flanges 34 and 3l. The end portions of the flanges are knurled or ribbed as shown in Figure .1, so that the handlepart of the housing may be held in the hand without likelihood of slippage.

The cutting head I6 is perferably formed of a thin rectangular strip of metal such as spring steel and consists of a semi-cylindrical skin en gaging central part IIB-and a pair of inwardly extending substantially parallel end parts 4I. It extends between the semicircular outer ends ofv the end walls 22 and 23 of the head part of the shaver housing and is formed by bending the metallic strip so that it is U-shaped in conformation. A locking bracket 42 serves to` hold the cutting head in its operative position. This bracket (See Figures 5 and 5A) is located in the compartment 24 and consists of an end wall 43, a. pair of sides 44, and an end wall 45. The end wall 43 fits against the inner face of the outer endof the end wall 22 and is iixedly secured in place by means of rivets 46. 'Ihe outer end of the end wall 43 is semicircular and is concentrically positioned with respect to the semicircular outer end of the end Wall 22. It is slightly smaller in diameter than said outer end of the end wall 22 and forms a semicircular shoulder 41 against which one end margin. of the semibracket 42 are formed integrally with and extend at right angles to the side margins of the end wall 43 ofthe bracket and are arranged in.`

parallel relation. They are adapted to have the j endparts 4I of the cutting head t thereagainst, as shown in Figure 6, and serve to hold said end parts ,of the cutting head in parallel relation.

The outer ends of the sides 44 of the locking bracket 42 terminate adjacent to and are spaced inwardly a short distance from the outer end edges of the side Walls 2l of the head part I9 of the shaver housing. The end wall 45 of the bracket 42 is formed separately from the sides 44 and is yi'ixedly secured to the cover forming end. wall 23 by rivets 448. The outer portion of the end wall is semicircular and is arranged concentrically with respect to the semicircular outer or small end of said wall 23. .It is slightly smaller in diameter than the semicircular outer end wall 23 and forms a semicircular shoulder 49 against which the contiguous end margin of the central part'40 of the cutting head is adapted to abut. In assembling the cutting head I6 with respect to the locking bracket 42 the end parts of the head are rst brought into parallel relation and are then inserted between the outer end edges of the sides 44 of the locking bracket and the sides 2I of the'l head part I9 of the shaver hous- .ing and moved inwardly into lapped relation with respect to said sides 44 of the locking `bracket. Whenl the cutting head is in place the end edges of the semi-cylindrical central part 40 fit against and are supported by the semicircular shoulders 41 and 49. The'semicircular margins of the outer ends of the end walls 22 and 23 of the head part of the shaver housing, that is the portion of said margins which project beyond 'the' shoulders 41- and 49 serve as abutments whereby endwise movement of the cutting head is prevented. The shoulders 41 and 49 are trulyy semicircular and hence serve not only as abutments for the central part 40 of the cutting head but also to hold said part in such manner that its conformation is truly semi-cylindrical. -Studs 50 l on the outer ends of the side walls 2| of the head part' of theshaver housing serve to guide. the end parts 4I of the cutting head I6 against the sides 44 of the locking bracket 42 during assembly ofthe cutting head with respect to'the locking bracket andiserve additionally to hold said lend parts 4I in lapped or abutting relation with respect to the sides 44. These studs fit against the inner faces of the side walls 2l and aresecured in place by means of rivetsv 5I. The cutting head I6 is releasably held in assembled or xed relation with the locking bracket 42 by means of a pair of springs 52. These springs are of the' coil or convolutetype and are mounted on the posts 25 which extend across the compartr'nent 24 and support the screws 26 whereby the cover forming end wall 23 of the head part I9 of the shaverhousing is releasably held in place. The ends of the springs which are disposed adjacent to the end wall 22 of the head part 2l, extend radially with respect to the post 25 and abut against the side walls 2l so that they prevent the springs from unwinding. The other ends of the springs extend outwardly and then inwardly as shown inEigure 6, and--form'ngers 53 which extend through apertures 54 in the end parts 4I of the cuttinghead and also through lapertures 55- in the sides 44 of the locking bracket 42. The springs 52 are wound or coiled in such manner that the ngers 53 tend to swing toward one another. As a result of this arrangement the lingers' when they extend through the apertures 54 urge the cutting head inwardly and serve to hold the semi-cylindrical central part 40 of the head in abutting relation with the semicircular shoulders 41 and 49. The apertures 55 in the sides 44' of the locking bracket are larger than the apertures 54 so that the nngers 53 are free at all times to hold the cutting head under spring tension. 'I'he springs 52 constitute simple means for releasably holding the cutting head in its operative position, that is in a position wherein the end parts 4I lap the sides 44 of the locking bracket 42 and the semi-cylindrical central part 40 abuts against the shoulders 41 and 49 on the end walls of the bracket. Re-

through and are suitably secured to the end wall y 22 of the head part I9 of the shaver housing and the sections 59b are aligned with and spaced from sections 59a, as shown in Figure 8, and extend through and are suitably secured in the cover forming wall 23 of said head part I9. The fingers 53 of the springs 52 extend across the spaces between the sections 59a and 59b of the guide tubes 59. When the legs 51 of the key 56 are inserted into and move through the tubes 59 the'beveled surfaces 58 encounter the 'ngers 53 and cam or wedge the latter outwards,

as shown byvdotted lines in Figure 6 of the drawings. When they are in their cammed or wedged position the fingers 53 are disengaged with respect to theapertured portions of the end parts 14I of the cutting head I5 and the cutting head is hence free so that it may be removed from the locking bracket 42.- The legs 51 of the key 56 may be inserted into the tubes 59 from the end wall of the shaver housing. When it is desired to assemble the cutting head I6 with respect to p the locking bracket 42 the legs 51 of the key 56 are inserted into the guide tubes 59 and Athen moved inwards until they pass across the space between the sections 59L and 59.b and operate tocam or wedge outwards the fingers 53 of the springs 52. Thereafter the end parts 4I of the cutting head I6 are inserted between the outer end edges of the sides 44 of the bracket 42- and the side walls 2| of the head part I9 and moved inwards across the outer faces of the sides 44 until the apertures 54 are in registry with the apertures 55 and the lsemi-cylindrical central -part 49 is brought into abutment with the-semicircular shoulders 41 and 49. Thereafter the key 56 is removed from the head part I9 of the shaver housing. Immediatelyupon removal of the legs 51 of the key from the guide/tubes 59 the fingers 53 of the springs 52 swing inwards into a position wherein they interlock with the apertured portions of the end-parts 4I of the locking head and serve to hold the head in place.

" During assembly of the cutting head with respect to the locking bracket 42 the studs 50, as hereinbefore described, serve to guide the end parts 4l of the head sothat they move in contact with, and parallel to. the sides 44 of the locking bracket 42. The semi-cylindrical centrai part 4o of the cutting head ls 'is provided with a plurality of series of hair receiving slots 60.N My invention contemplates the use of hair receiving perforations or openings of any shape and arrangement suitable for the purposes herein disclosed. In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings and herein described I employ a, series of slots which extend from one end edge of the central part 40 to the other and are arranged at an angle of approximately 10- with respect to the end edges. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the slots of one series are staggered with respect to the slots'of the icontiguous series. The slots are formed by placing the cutting head forming strip between a pair of dies one of which embodies a plurality of ribs corresponding in number and design to the slots and the other of which embodies a plurality of recesses for receiving the ribs of what may be termed the male die. together with the cutting head forming strip therebetween the ribs of the male die deilect the metal of the strip so that the latter has indentations on one side thereof and projections on the other side. 'I'he ribs on the male die are greater in height than the strip is thick with the result that the indentations in the one side of the strip that is the skin engaging face, are of greater depth than the strip. After the strip has been subjected to the action of the dies,l the projections on the inner face of the strip are ground olf with the result that the slots are formed. Because of the specific manner in which the slots are formed the cutting head has on the outer face thereof a plurality of series of cavities 6l and embodies on its inner face cutting edges 62'. The latter dene the slots and are flush with the inner face of the cutting head. When the cutting head is moved over the skin for shaving or hair depilationpurposes the skin works its way into the cavities 6l and the hairs when .they encounter the slots,snap or work their way through the slots. cavities and the manner in which they operate to receive the skin, the cutting Ledges 62 are aligned with the hairs at the points at which they protrude from the skin. As a result of this, the blade type cutter Il when it is oscillated within the cutting head I6, as' hereinafter described, eiects an extremely close cutting of y the hairs. The cavities 6I are dished and serve to direct the hair through the slots 60. The slots are the same in length, as shown in Figure 12, and each slot is spaced from the adjoining slots of its series a distance slightly less than the slots length. As a result of this and because the slots of every other series are staggered with respect to the slots of alternate series all of the hairs encountered by the cutting head during each sweep of the housing in connection with a shavlng \or hair depilation operation are encountered by the slots 60 and are subjected to the cutting action of the blade type cutter l l. The cutter, as

shown in the drawings and as described hereafter, extends at right angles to the end edges of the semi-cylindrical central part 40 or the cutting head. As a result of this and the fact that the series of slots 60 extend at a slight angle with respect to said end edges a thorough shearing or scissors action is had when the cutter Il traverses the sharp cutting edges which denne the slots 60. The slots 6|] are slightly wider than a\norinal hair. The cutting head I6 is 'preferably .003 of an inch in thickness so that it is readily bendable and aclose shave may be had.' In using.l the When the dies are brought Because of the shaver cutting of the hair is eiectedwhen the cutting head I6 is moved in a direction directly opposite to that in which the hairs normally project. When the cutting head is moved in such direction the hairs as aresult of the action of the cavities 6l readily work their way into and through the slots 6ll. By forming the cutting head I6 of a thin strip of spring metal as contradistinguished from a casting or a screw machine part the cost of production is extremely low and it is possible to replace adamaged or `worn out head with a new one at an extremely small cost. In order to permit of ready discharge of cut hairs from the compartment 24, holes 63 are formed in the cutting head and holes 64 are formed in the side and end walls of the head part i9 o f the shaverv housing l5. The holes 63, as shown in Figure 11, are formed in the semi-cylindrical central part d0 of the cutting head lat the points where such part joins the end parts l, and is, directly adjacent to the outermost series of slots 60.

The cutter Il extends between the end walls 43 and l5 ofthe locking bracket 42 and is preferably in the form of a metallic stamping. It is rectangular, as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings and extends radially from and is' carried by va rock-bar 65. This bar extends between said end walls 43 and 65 and is pivotally supported by a pair of pintles 66 so that it is free to rock about 5 its longitudinal center. The pintles B6 extend through and are centered with respect to the rounded outer ends of the end walls 22 and 23 of the head part I9 of the shaver housing and also extend through and are centered with respect t to the endwalls 43 and d5 of the locking bracket d2. The inner ends of the pintles project inwardly with respect to said side walls 43 and 45 and a're journaled in bearings 6l in sockets 63 in the ends of the rock bar 65. The bearings 6l are preferably of the oil treated wooden variety in order to dispense with lubrication. The cutter ll embodies a pair of laterally spaced, inwardly extending tongues 65. These tongues (see Figure 7) t within and extend transversely throughL a pair of sockets 'l0 in the central portion of the rock-bar and serve to connect the cutter to the bar so that it oscillates or rocks back and forth with the bar and at the same time is free to slide radially relatively to the bar and into contact with the inner face or periphery of the semicylindrical central part D of the cutting head I6. The sockets 'd extend transversely through the rock-bar 65, as shown in Figure l0, and have restricted or narrow mouth portions which are slightly greater in thickness than the tongues S9. The mouth portions of the sockets are defined by means of pairs of oppositely facing ribs Il which are formed as integral parts of the bar and have curved opposed surfaces 'l2 for engaging the root parts of the tongues. The curved surfaces l2 of the ribs 'Il together with the-tongues constitute The spring 13 is disposed in a bore 15 in the central portion of the rock-bar 65. The plunger 14 comprises a head 'I6 and a stem TI. The head is f` d y2,081,394.

stem 11 extends through' the lip and engages the inner side edge ofthe cutter. The rock-bar 65 is rocked for cutter oscillating purposes by means Vci" a rotary disk 19 and an eccentric pin 80 on the disk. The disk, as hereinafter described, is

drivenat a comparatively high speed by the electric motor i8. It is disposed in the compartment 24 between the sides 44 of the locking bracket 42.

YThe pin 80 is suitably connected to the outer end face of the disk 19 so that it is eccentrically disposed with respect to the disks axis and embodies a ball 8| at its outer end. This ball, as shown in Figures 6, '1 and 10 of the drawings, ts between a pair of plates 82 which are connected to and extend inwardly from the sides of the rook bar 65.' Preferably the plates 82 areV formed of fiber or like material and are secured in place by pins 83 which extend transversely through the central portion of the rock bar. During drive or rotation of the disk 19 by the electric motor I8 the pin 80 due to its eccentric position or location with respect to the disk travels in a circular coursel and Voperates through the medium of the ball 8| and the plates"82 to rock the bar 85. During rocking of the bar the cutter I1 sweeps or cscillates back and forth around the inner face of the cutting head I6 and in conjunction with Y the cutting edges 62 eiects close cutting of all hairs which project-through theslots 60. The spring pressed plunger 14 in conjunction with centrifugal force serves to hold the outer side face of the cutter in iirm contact with the inner' face of the central part 40 of the cutting head and hence an efcient cutting action is always obtained. As the result of ,the action of the spring pressed plunger and centrifugal force the cutter is automatically moved outwards when the i cutting surface thereof becomes worn and wear is thus automatically compensated for. The pin 80 is preferably located with respect to the center of the disk 19 so that it operates torock the bar 65 through an arc of 90. When the cutter l1 is swung in one directionl the leading edge of the `cutting surface, that is, the outer side surface of the cutter operates in conjunction with the cutting edges 62 to cut all oi the hair which projects through the slots 50 and when the cutter Il is swung in the other direction the opposite edge of the cutting surface coacts with the cutting edges 62 to eiTect the desiredr cutting action as far as the hairs are concerned. This is attributable to the fact that the tongues 59 and the sockets 18 permit the'cutter I1 to rock to a slight extent relatively to the rock bar y|55 and as a, result the cutter when it is swung clock-wise i's located to the left of the axes of the sockets 'liland when swung counter-clockwise, that is, 1n the reverse direction, is located at the right of the axes of the sockets.A The outer extremities or ends of the tongues 69 coact with the portions of the rock bar which dene the walls of the sockets to limit rocking of the cutter relatively to the bar. As the cutting side surface of the cutter wears down during use of the shaver the cutter in response to the action ci the spring pressed .plunger 1B moves outwards in the direction of the movement of the cutter increases relatively to the bar the angle at which the cutter traverses the cutting edges 62 increases and hence there is always a new or sharp cutting edge in contact with the inner face or periphery of the semicylindrical central part 40 of the cutting head. Due to the fact that the cutter is slidable with respect to the rock bar and is free to rock or swing laterally to a limited extent relatively to the bar, the cutter 'not only in response to centrifugal force engages at all times the inner periphery of the central part 40 of the head but also sharpens itself automatically. When it is desired 'to remove the cutter for repair or replacement purposes it is only necessary to remove the cutting head I1 by releasing the ngers 53 of the springs 52 by means of the key 56, as

hereinbefore described.

The electric motor I8 is of the so-called induction impulse type. It is disposed within the compartment 35 in the handle part 20 of the shaver housing I5 and consists of an armature 84 and 1 partment 35. The plate 88, as shown in Figure 2, extends across the compartment 24 and ts between and is secured in place by the posts 25 and the posts 21. The end portion of the armature shaft which is journaled in the bearing plate 88 embodies a iiywheel 90 and is secured to thel disk 19 by means of a set screw 9|. The flywheel 90 is located between the armature 84 and the bearing plate 88. The bearing plate 89 is positioned in and extends across the central portion of the compartment 35. It is formed of ber or any other suitable bearing material and is secured .in clamped relation with the inner or large end of the end wall 22 of the head part I9 of the shaver housing by means of a clamping part 92 and a pair of screws 93. A pair of collars 98 and 95 are mounted on the armature shaft 81 onopposite sides of the bearing plate 89 and coact with the latter to hold the shaft against axial displacement. The bearing` plate 88, like the bearing plate 89, is formed of fiber or like bearing material. The field magnet 85 comprises a pole piece 95 and a coil or winding 91. It is located at'one side of the armature shaft 8l. The magnet 88 is located at the other side of the armature shaft and consists of a pole piece 98 and a winding'99. Current is supplied 'into the ilanges 3d and 31 of the housing handle part. The lwinding 91 extends around the pole piece 9E and is connected at one end to the con-r ductor |00. The other end of the winding 91 is connected by a conductor` |04 to one end ofthe winding 99 of the magnet 86. The latter magnet extends around the pole piece 98 and is connected at its other end to the conductorlll. The conductor H10-includes a circuit interrupter |05. This interrupter comprises a fixed contact I 06,.a movable contact I 01, and a cam |08. The xed contact |06 is secured to an adjusting screw |09.

The latter extends through and is carried by a plate ||0 which is formed of insulating material and is secured by a screw I II to a bracket I I2' on a plate I I3. This plate is formed of in- 'sulating material and is secured in any suitable manner to the inner or large end of the end Wall 22 of the head part I 9-of the shaver housing. The movable contact |01 is mounted on one end of a spring strip I I4 so that it is movable to and from the fixed contact I 06. The other end of the strip is attached to a bracket II 5 which is secured to the plate ||3 of insulating material. The cam I 08 is in the form of a viiat plate and is xedly secured to the collar` 95v on the armature 'shaft 81. It is formed of insulating material and is arranged so that during rotation of the armature shaft the side edges thereof successively contact with the spring strip H4 and move the contact I 01 into engagement with the contact |00. The

spring strip is supported by the bracket ||5 so that the contact |07 is normally out of, engagement with the contact |06. When the cam |08 is turned to a position wherein it brings the contact |0I.into engagement with the contact |06 the circuit through the field magnets 85 and 86 of the motor is completed and the amature in response to the action of the magnets is caused to rotate. Continued' rotation of the armature results from the current impulses which are governed by or results from the action of the circuit interrupter |05. An adjusting screw IIS is carried by a4 plate III. on the bracket H5 and engages the spring strip lill between the cam I I8 and said bracket H5. By adjusting the screw |06 to or from the spring strip IM the duration of engagement of thecontacts |06 and |01 durs ing each half revolution of the cam |00 may be controlled and it is thus possible to set the interrupter so the current impulses are such that maximum power is obtained during drive of the |05 is out of engagement with the springstrip I|5 and it is desired to start the shaver it is only necessary to turn quickly the shaver housing I5 about the axis of the armature shaft 8l. As a result of the inertia of the armature shaft this turning movement ofthe housingv results in the spring strip IM being brought into engagement with one side edge of the cam |00. .Upon engagement of the spring strip with such side edge of the cam the contact |01 is brought into engagement with the contact |06 and the circuit through the field magnets 85 and 86 is thus closed. Upon lclosing of this circuit the motor starts, as previously described.v During drive or operation of the motor the ball 8| in response to the action of the eccentric pin 80 rocks the rock bar $5 back and forth and oscillates the blade-type cutter I'I. When the semi-cylindrical central part d0 of the cutting head I6 is moved over the skin in a direction opposite that in which the hairs on the skin extend the hairs work their way through the slot 60 and are trimmed or cut in response to the shearing action of the cutter I'I and the cutting edges 62.

The herein described electric shaver is extremely eiiicient in operationand due to the small number of parts and the specific construction the action of thevskinreceiving cavities 'SI an extremely close shave may be obtained with the shaver.. Because the centralk part 40 of the cutter head I6 is semi-cylindrical and embodies rows of hair receiving slots substantially throughout, an eiective shave or hair depilation is effected regardlessof the angle at which the skin engaging part of the cutting head isplaced against the skin.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

v'Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Ina shaver, the combination of a skinengaging cutting head of thinspring metal having hair-receiving openings therein, a cutter, means independent of the Acutter for iixedly and internally supporting in a curved plane the opposite margins at the longitudinal edges of the cutting head with the openings disposed in the curved lportion of the head intermediate said opposite margins and maintained in operative position independently of the cutter, the cutter' being bodily forced outwardly against and movable across the inner face of the curved portions of the cutting head between its oppositely sup--FV ported margins.

2. In a shaver, the combination of a skin-engagingA cutting head of thin spring metal, a cutter, fixed arcuate shoulders at the longitudinal edges of the cutting head, means holding the cutting head with its marginal edges seated against said arcuate shoulders, the arcuate portion of `the cutting head between said shoulders being perforated to provide hair-receiving openings, said shoulders and holding means serving to maintain the perforated portion of the cutting head in its operative'arcuate plane independently of the cutter, and means for moving the cutter across the inner face of the curved portion of the cutting head between the shoulders and for causing the cutter to be forced outwardly so that its cutting edge bears with pressure against said curved portion when so moved.

3. Ina shaver,l the combination of a skinengaging cutting head consisting of a strip of thin f resilient material having a portion exed in' a curved plane provided with hair-receiving openings, a flat cutter, means for oscillating the cut- A ter :so that its cutting edge moves back and forth across the inner face of the curved portion of Y against the skin, of extremely thin spring metal having hair-receiving openings at its medial portion, each opening having fa cutting edge at the side opposite from the skin engaging side, the cutting edge being exed at its medial portion to arcuate form, fixed arcuate shoulders at the 1ongitudinal edges of the cutting head for supporting-the opposite arcuate marginal edges of said medial portion, means engaging each end of the cutting headfor holding it iirmly against said shoulders comprising engaging elements operable to draw the cutting head into said holding position and also operable' for releasing'its ends, and a cutter having a shearing action against the cutting edges of the cutting head intermediate the supported marginal edges when said cutter is moved across the cutting edges of said cutting head. l

5. In a shaver, a cutting head to rest against the skin comprising a fiat strip of thin spring head exed in substantially semi-cylindrical f orrn/l with its longitudinal marginal ends definitely supported in said semi-cylindrical torna/'means for moving the cutter in a shearing action about an axis concentric with said semi-cylindrical form, and means whereby the cutter is bodily moved outwardly against the cutting edges on the inner side of the cutting head when moved in said shearing action. "l

6. A shaver having a skin-engaging part of sheet spring steel of approximately .003 of an inch thickness exed to arcuate form and xedly supported at its arcuate ends in said form, said arcuate part having hair-receiving openings closely spaced substantially throughout its arcuate portion, and a cuttervextending longitudinally of and within said arcuate portion and mounted l to move about an axis concentric with said arcuate ends and having a cutting edge movable across the inner face of said openings by movement of the cutter about its said axis, and means whereby the cutter is bodily movedoutwardly against said inner face when moved across the same in a cutting action.

'7. A shaver having a flat cutter blade, means for oscillating said blade at a high speed and said blade being free to move outwardly under centrifugal force, and an extremely thin skin engaging cutting head having a closely perforated portion flexed to arcuate form arranged so that the oscillating blade bears against the inner side of the perforated' portion and in intimate cutting relation with the inner edges of the perforations. i

8. yIn a shaver, the combination of askin-engaging cutting head of thin spring metal having hair-receiving openings, means for retaining and supporting the medial portion of the head xed in arcuate form, a cutter, means whereby said cutter is movable across the inner face of the arcuate portion of the head and free for outward radial movement by centrifugal force into intimate contact with the inner face of the head.

9. A shaver having a cutting head to rest against the skin, of thin metal iiexed to arcuate form and having hair-receiving openings in its arcuate portion, a,cutter, means independent of the cutter supporting opposite arcuate marginal edges of the arcuate portion of the cutting head against inward deflection with the intermediate arcuate portion free to flex, the cutter extending lengthwise between said edges and supported for free movement outwardly against the cutting head, Iand means for operating the cutter in a.

cutting action ,against the inner face of the cutting head in which action the cutter has constant outward pressure against the flexible portion of the cutting head.

-means for oscillating the support, and a cutter carried by the support to engage the arcuate inner face of the cutting head and radially movable outwardly against the exible portion of the ead by centrifugal force.

l1. A shaverhaving a cutting head to rest against the skin, of extremely thin material provided with"v hair-receiving openings and flexed to arcuate form, means supporting the opposite' marginal arcuate edges of the blade against fdeiiection from said arcuate form, a cutter extending lengthwise betweeri said opposite arcuate edges supported for free movement outwardly, against the inner face of the cutting head, means for oscillating the cutter at a high speed so that during oscillation and in response to centrifugal action it moves outwardly into intimate shearing contact with the cutting head, and means yieldingly urging the cutter outwardly against the cut-ting head in conjunction with said centrifugal action. i

l2. A shaver having a cutting head to rest against the skin, of spring metal of approximately .003 of an inch thickness flexed to an arcuate V form -and closely perforated throughout a portion of said arcuate form to provide hair-receiving openings and having cutting edges at inner edges of said openings, a cutter extending longitudinally of the head and mounted for loscillation with its longitudinal edge moving back and forth across the inner face of the perforated portion, the cutter beingfree to move outwardly against the head, and means for oscillating the Icutter at a high rate of speed whereby it is urged by centrifugal force against the head and has intimate shearing action throughout its length with the cutting edges at the inner edge of the perforations.

13. In'a shaver, comprising the combination of a skin-engaging cutting head of thin spring metal having hair-receiving openings, means for iixedly supporting the margins of the medial portion of the head and retaining it in arcuate ter blade carried by said support and having its outer edge movable across and engageable with the inner face of the arcuate portion of the head, and means for oscillating the support to actuate the blade and cutter, the blade being circumferentially tiltable in the support in opposite directions responsively to Ithe reversal of movement of the support.

14In a shaver, comprising the combination l of a skin-engaging cutting head of thin spring metal having hair-r ceiving openings, means for flXedly supporting t e margins of the medial portion of the head and 'retaining it in arcuate form, a pivotally movable cutter-support, a cutter-blade carried by said support and having its outer edge movable across and engageable with the inner face of the arcuate portion ofl the head, and means for oscillating the support to actuate the blade and cutter, the blade being circumferentially tiltable in the support in opposite di,- rections on a'n axis between the axis of the support and the inner face of the blade responsively to the reversal of movement of the support.

l5. In a shaver, comprising the combination of a skin-engaging cutting head of thin spring metal having hair-receiving openings, means for fixedly supporting the margins of the medial portion of the head and retaining it in arcuate form, a pivotally movable cutter-support, a cutter-blade carried by and radially slidable in said support and having its outer edges movable across and engageable with the inner face of the arcuate portion of the head. and means for oscillating the support to actuate the blade and cutter, the blade being circumferentially tiltable form, a pivotally movable cutter-support, a cutopenings each having a cutting edge opposite from the skin-engaging side, a cutter-blade having opposed cutting edges, and an oscillating holder for moving the cutter-blade back and forth in cutting strokes inl which the leading 10 edge of the cutter-blade is in shearing relation with the cutting edges of the head and the trailing edge is held away from said cutting edges, the cutter-blade having a Vtilting movement at the end of each cutting stroke upon and with respect to the holder whereby to shift the leading cutting edge out of said shearing relation with the cutting edges of the head and move the trailing cutting edge into said relation.

b'17. In a shaver, a cutting-head of approxi- 'matel`y semi-cylindrical form having hair-receiving openings, a iiat cutter-blade having opposed cutting edges at one end, a blade-holder mounted to oscillate about an axis concentric with the semicylindrical cutting headfor moving the cutter-blade back and forth in shearing relation with the cutting head, and means whereby the cutter-blade has a limited pivotal movement upony and with respect to the holder about an axis eccentric with respect :to the pivot axis of the holder.

l8.'In a shaver, a cutting head of approximately semicylindrical form having hair-receiving openings, a flat cutter-blade having opposed cutting edges at one end, a blade-holder mounted to oscillate about an axis concentric with the semicylindrical cutting head for moving the cutter-bladey back and forth in shearing relation with the cutting head, means whereby the cutter-blade has a limited pivotal movement upon 40 and with respect to the holder about an axis' eccentric with respect to the pivot axis of the holder, and means for oscillating the holder comprising an eccentric pin rotating about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the bladeholder.

19. In a shaver, a cutting head of approximately semicylindrical form having hair-receiving openings, a flat cutter-blade having opposed cutting edges at one end, a blade-holder mounted to oscillate about an axis concentric with the semicylindrical cutting head for moving the cutter-blade back and forth in shearing relation with the cutting head, means whereby the cutter-blade has a limited pivotal movement upon and with respect to the holder about an axis eccentricwith respect to the pivot axis of the holder, means for oscillating the holder comprismg an eccentric pin rotating about an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the blade- 50 holder, a ball end on the pivot pin, and opposed parallel members on the holder between which the ball end operates to oscillate the holdler.

20. In a shaver, the combination of a cutting head of approximately semicylindrical'form having hair-receiving openings, a flat cutter-blade having a cutting edge at its outer end, a holder for the blade mounted to oscillate about an axis concentric with the semicylindrical cutting head and provided at its inner end with an elongated groove parallel with said axis, the cutter-blade being free to move outwardly upon and with respect to thev holder to urge its cutting edge against the cutting head, and means for oscillating the holder comprising an eccentric pin mounted to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the axi's of the holder provided with a ball extending into and slidable in the groove.

21. As a new article of manufacture, a shaver comprising a housing, a hollow cutting head on the housing, comprising a skin engaging part and embodying in said part a plurality of hair receiving slots with outwardly iiared entrance cavities and sharp slot dening cutting edges ush with the inner face of said part, a cutter disposed within and extending longitudinally of said part and engaging the inner face of the latter, and power means within the housing for moving the cutter back -and forth and causing it to coact with said cutting edges in severing the hairs protruding inwardly through the slots.

22. As a new article of manufacture, a shaver comprising a housing, a. hollow cutting head on the housing comprising a. substantially semicylindrical skin engaging part `and embodying in said part a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending rows of hair receiving slots 'with outwardly flared entrance cavities and sharp slot defining cutting edges flush with the inner face of said part, a blade-type cutter disposed in and extending substantially radially with respect to said skin engaging part of the cutting head, and power means in the housing for oscillating the cutter so as to cause it to coact with said cutting edges in severing the hairs protruding inwardly through the slots.

23. In a shaver, a cutting head to rest against the skin comprising a strip of extremely thin spring metal having closely arranged hair-receiving openings at its medial portion and a single openingA adjacent to'each end centrally thereof, xed arcuate shoulders against which the opposite margins of said medial portion at the longitudinal edges of the head are-adapted to seat-and means engaging in said single openings for holding the cutting head in working position on said shoulders. Y y

24. As a new article of manufacture, a shaver comprising a housing, a hollow cutting head mounted on the housing and having substantially semi-cylindrical skin engaging parts vwith a plurality of hair receiving slots extending therethrough, a rock-bar centrally positioned within and extending lengthwise of said skin engaging part of the head, a blade-type cutter projectingv substantiallyvradially from the bar so that the outer edge thereof contacts with the inner face of said skin engaging Vpart of the head, tongue and socket connections between the inner portion of the blade and the rock-bar whereby the cutter is connected for rocking movement with the ball and at the same time is free to vrock to a small degree relatively to the bar and also to move outwards in response to centrifugal force towards said skin engaging part of the head, and power driven means disposed in the housing for rocking the bar and thus causing the cutter in response to oscillation thereof to sever the hairs, protruding inwardly through the slots.

. 25. In a shaver, a cutting head of extremely thin resilient material having a closely perforated portion flexed to arcuate form, a single iiat cutter blade and means for oscillating lsaid blade rapidly across the inner side of said arcuate perforated portion and said blade being bodily urged outwardly against said inner side. 26. In a shaver, a at cutter blade, a strip of extremely thin resilient metal having hair-receiving perforation's with cutting edges at one side and held taut with itsperforated portion flexible and supported independently of the cutter blade,

Y.as

the cutter blade being pressed outwardly against said cutting edges, and means for moving said blade rapidly across the saine in intimate shearing engagement therewith.

27. In a shaver, an extremely thin skin-engaging cutting head having a closely perforated portion of arcuate form and cutting edges at the inner end of the perforations, a flat cutter blade, means for oscillating said blade at a high speed with its narrow cutting edge in line'contact with the cutting edges throughout the-length of said perforated portion, the blade being free to move outwardly against said cutting edges, and means for causing the blade to press outwardly against said cutting edges.

28. In a shaver, an extremely thin skin-engaging cutting head having a closely perforated portion of arcuate form andl cutting edges at the inner end of the perforatidns, a flat cutter blade, means for oscillating said blade at a high speed with its narrow -cutti'ng\ edge in line contact with the. cutting edges throughout the length of said perforated portion, the blade being free to move outwardly against said cutting edges and arranged so that it` has bodily movement under centrifugal force urging it into engagement with said cutting edges.

29. In a shaver, a fiat cutter blade, a cutting head of extremely thin resilient material provided with hair-receiving perforations having cutting edges at one side and supported independently of the cutter blade, means for moving the blade rapidly across said perforated portion in a cutting action, the blade being free to move outwardly against the cutting edges, and means for causing the blade to press outwardly against said cutting edges during the cutting action.

30. In a shaver, a single cutter blade, a strip of extremely thin spring metal having a closely perforated portion, means independent of the Ablade for supporting said strip with its perforated portion free to ilex, means for rapidly moving y the blade across the perforated portion'in successi've cutting movements, and means for causingthe blade to move outwardly under pressure against the inner face of the cutting head during said movements.

31. In a'shaver, a cutter blade, a cutting head of extremely `thin resilient material having a perforated portion flexed. to arcuate form and maintained in said arcuate form independently of the blade, and means for rapidly oscillating the blade and causing it to be moved outwardly against the inner side of said arcuate portion.

32. In a shaver, a single fiat cutter blade, a cuta ting head of extremely thin resilient material having a perforated portion exed to arcuate form and maintained in said form independently of the blade, and means for oscillating the blade at a high speed with its narrow edge urged under pressure against the inner side of the arcuate perforated portion.

33. In a shaver, a single flat cutter blade, a cutting head of extremely thin resilient material having a perforated portion flexed to arcuate form and maintained in said form independently of the blade, means for oscillating the blade at a high speed with its narrow edge traversing the inner side of the arcuate perforated portion, and means for causing the blade to be urged bodily outwardly against the arcuate perforated portion while traversing the same so as to have tension along the length of said narrow edge against said' perforated portion throughout the travel back and forth across said portion.v

34. In a shaver, a cutter blade, a cutting head to bear against the skin comprising a strip of thin spring metal closely perforated throughout a cutting portion, means holding the cutting head with its cutting portion exed to arcuate form and retained in said arcuate form independently of the blade, means for rapidly oscillating the blade at the inner side of the cutting head so that the cutting edge of the blade traverses the arcuate rperforated portion, and means causing the blade to be urged outwardly against the inner side of said arcuate perforated portion while traversing the same.

35. In a shaver, the combination of a skinengaging cutting head of thin spring metal having a medial portion provided with hair-receiving openings, a cutter, means independent of the cutter for supporting the longitudinal edges of said medial portion in arcuate form and therebyretaining the medial portion flexed in similar arcuate form, means for moving the cutter ln a shearing action across the innerv face of the arcuate medial portion, the cutter being free for outward movement to impinge against said inner face, and means whereby the cutter will be yieldingly pressed outwardly against the inner face of the head when operated in said shearing action.

36. In a shaver, a body providing a handle part and a head part, a motor in the handle part, the head part constituting a housing having an opening at its end remote from the handle part, a cutter blade mounted within the head part for oscillation about a fixed axis, means driven by the motor for oscillating the cutter blade, a cutting head consisting of a strip of thin resilient material perforated at its medial portion to providev hair-receiving openings, the cutting head being normally in operative position within said opening in the head part with its perforated portion flexed to arcuate form in cooperative relation with the cutter blade and projecting beyond the housing and with its opposite end portions located within the housing, and holding-means .for retaining the cutting head in said operative position including elements within the housing movable into and out of engagement with said end portions of the cutting head and means op- -force against the inner side of the curved portion,

and means for rapidly moving the blade across said curved portion.

38. In a shaver, a cutter blade having a at body and a longitudinal cutting edge in a at plane, a cutting head having aAthin perforated portion in a curved plane, the blade having its cutting edge extending longitudinally of the cutting head and being free to move outwardly against the inner side of the curved portion,

means for rapidly moving the `blade across said,

curved portion, and means for causing the blade F to be bodily moved outwardly into shearing engagement with the cutting head when so operated.

' JOHN BRUECKER. 

